Chain pin for hinge conveyor chains

ABSTRACT

A method of assembling a hinge conveyor chain includes providing adjacent conveyor links formed from a ferritic-pearlitic stainless steel, wherein the adjacent links have interdigitating link ends with openings for receiving a pin, and inserting a pin having a radially outwardly facing surface formed from a steel alloy with more than 0.6 wt. % of carbon and more than 12 wt. % of Cr through the openings of the interdigitating link ends to pivotally link the adjacent links.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/841,106 filed on May 7, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,032.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the use of steel alloys in chain pins for hingeconveyor chains, in particular to alloys of stainless steel for use insuch chain pins in combination with chain links manufactured fromstainless steel.

Stainless-steel hinge conveyor chains are usually deployed in industrialapplications where, in mechanical terms, heavy demands are made on theconveyor chains. Thus, stainless-steel conveyor chains can be loadedconsiderably more heavily than conveyor chains from plastic. They alsooffer a good resistance to external influences, particularly to theaction of dirt and/or (remains of) product to be conveyed, such as forinstance to street dirt or other dirt coming from crates when crates areconveyed or to glass fragments (pieces or glass powder) when (reused)bottles are conveyed in, for instance, the beverage industry.

When objects are conveyed by means of conveyor chains, it is sometimesimportant that the objects can somewhat slide over the surface of thechain. This may be achieved in practice by deploying the stainless-steelconveyor chains either lubricated or unlubricated. The term lubricatedis understood to mean that, during the conveyance, a layer of lubricantis applied, usually in the form of an aqueous solution of a (synthetic)lubricant, such as soap. In an unlubricated operation, the surface ofthe chain needs to be so smooth that a sufficiently low frictionalresistance can already be achieved without lubricant.

With both lubricated and unlubricated hinge conveyor chain systems, inuse, wear occurs with the passage of time. It has been found that thiswear particularly affects the pins which connect the individual links ofthe chain with each other. Due to the wear of the pin, the conveyorchain will become longer, which inter alia results in skipping of thechain on the driving gear, so that the conveying function is lost. Also,the mutual play between the links which results from wear of the pinswill generally lead to more failures in the conveyance, for instance inthat, on a worn conveyor chain, products easily fall over or becomedamaged in another manner. It is even possible for the conveyor chain tobreak as a result of the wear. In this context, it is noted that thespeeds at which the conveyor chains are driven can be very high. Inparticular if single-line mass transport is desired, for instance aftera parallel product flow merges into a single serial flow (for instancein a filling apparatus for bottles), the speed of the single-line chainscan increase considerably, to no less than 80 m/min or more.

In addition, high demands are made on the life span of the conveyorequipment. For some applications, a conveyor chain needs to be able tooperate without failure for at least six years. For lower speeds, tenyears is no exception.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention uses special alloys of stainless steel for themanufacture of pins in stainless-steel hinge conveyor chains whichobviate or at least reduce the above-mentioned drawbacks. In particular,an object of the invention is to provide chain modules (that is,combinations of link and pin) by means of which stainless-steel hingeconveyor chains can be manufactured, which conveyor chains show lesswear in use than conventional stainless-steel hinge conveyor chains.

After extensive research, it has been found that the wear of the pins ofconventional stainless-steel hinge conveyor chains in practicalconditions is the result of abrasive wear, that is, wear caused by theaction of solid particles, particularly dirt, such as sand, glassparticles, etc. This inter alia appeared from the observed scratches inthe circular direction and from the polished surface of the worn pins.An expert would conclude from this that the remedy for the excessivewear of the pins can be found in the choice of a type of steel with highhardness. This is usually achieved by choosing a type of steel with highvanadium and/or tungsten contents, in particular if anti-corrosiveproperties are also desired (although steel with an elevated carboncontent may have an improved hardness, the anti-corrosive propertiesthereof are usually not good).

However, a drawback of types of steel with high vanadium and/or tungstencontents is that they are not or only difficultly available in the formof drawn wire, which is preferred from a practical point of view and interms of costs. This makes types of steel with high vanadium and/ortungsten contents less suitable in practice.

It has been found that, under the specific load occurring with hingeconveyor chains in operation, so-called adhesive wear plays an importantrole. This means that the wear of the pins also occurs if other wearmechanisms are eliminated, for instance if operation does not take placeunder abrasive conditions. Adhesive wear is the result of the so-calledseizing of the two metals. Therefore, the present invention relates to ahinge chain conveyor, comprising at least two links fromferritic-pearlitic stainless steel, which links are hingedly coupled bymeans of at least one stainless-steel chain pin, with the chain pincomprising, at least on its outer surface, a steel alloy with more than0.6 wt. % of carbon and more than 12 wt. % of Cr.

Such a combination of types of steel is surprisingly not, or hardly,seizing and results, in a practical hinge conveyor arrangement, in avery slight wear, in particular in a very slight adhesive wear.

Because the link is manufactured from ferritic-pearlitic steel, it ismagnetic, so that the chains can very suitably be deployed in conveyortracks comprising guiding bend segments provided with magnets, inparticular the conveyor tracks as described in EP-A-0 509 605.

Very suitable steel for making the links in the chains according to theinvention is the steel with Werkstoffnummer (material number) 1.4589.This steel has the following composition (in wt. %, remainder iron):

C Si Mn P S Cr Module Ni Ti ≦0.08 ≦1 ≦1 ≦0.045 ≦0.030 13.0– 0.2–1.21.0–2.5 0.3–0.5 15.5

Another ferritic-pearlitic stainless steel which is suitable formanufacturing the links according to the invention is known from DE-A-3105 891, which publication is fully incorporated herein by reference.This known steel has the following composition (in wt. %, remainderiron):

C Si Mn Cr Mo Ni Ti ≦0.1 ≦1 ≦1 13.0–15.8 ≦1.5 0.8–3.0 ≦0.6in which the sum of the chromium and molybdenum percentages is at least14.3 wt. %.

One embodiment of steel with Werkstoffnummer 1.4589 typically has thefollowing composition (in wt. %, remainder Fe):

C Si Mn P S Cr Mo Ni Ti 0.044 0.56 0.53 0.024 0.001 13.9 0.25 1.64 0.43

Other suitable types of steel for making the links in the chainsaccording to the invention are ferritic-pearlitic types of steel withthe Werkstoffnummer 1.4016 and 1.4017.

Steel with Werkstoffnummer 1.4016 (AISI 430; X6Cr17) has the followingcomposition (in wt. %, remainder Fe):

C Si Mn P S Cr ≦0.08 ≦1 ≦1 ≦0.045 ≦0.030 15.5–17.5

Steel with Werkstoffnummer 1.4017 (X6CrNi17-1) has the followingcomposition (in wt. %, remainder Fe):

C Si Mn P S Cr Ni ≦0.06 ≦1 ≦1 ≦0.04 ≦0.015 16.0–18.0 1.20–1.60

Steel alloys for manufacturing the pin according to the invention aresteel alloys with at least 0.6 wt. % of carbon and at least 12 wt. % ofchromium. It has been found that such pins with a relatively high carboncontent used in the present invention are not or hardly subject tocorrosion or corrosive wear, which is surprising because a higher carboncontent in steel is usually connected with poorer anti-corrosiveproperties of this steel. This enables conveyor chains built up frommodules according to the invention to also be deployed in lubricatedconveyor chain systems.

That corrosion or corrosive wear is no problem in the hinge conveyorchains according to the invention is more surprising since thelubricated conveyor chain systems are usually dry when they are notoperative (for instance in the weekends), after which, subsequently,when they are put into operation again, they contact the (usuallyaqueous) lubricating medium. Such an alternation of wet and dry periodsunder continuous influence of oxygen from the air is generally verycorrosive.

Preferably, the steel of the pin according to the invention comprisesmore than 0.7 wt. % of carbon. As a rule, a carbon content of maximally2 wt. % is sufficient. Preferably, the carbon content is 0.8–1.6 wt. %.The steel of the pin according to the invention comprises at least 12wt. % of chromium, preferably 15–19 wt. % of Cr, more preferably 16–18wt. %.

Particularly suitable as steel for the pins is steel containing, inaddition to Fe, the following elements (in wt. %):

C 0.95–1.2  Cr 16–18 Mn ≦1 Mo ≦0.75 P ≦0.04 Si ≦1 S ≦0.03

Such steel is known by the Werkstoffnummer (according to DIN) 1.4125 andis also designated by 440C (AISI), X105CrMo17 (EN), Z100CD17 (AFNOR) andS44004 (UNS).

Other suitable types of steel comprise for instance steel with theWerkstoffnummer 1.4109, 1.4111, 1.4112 and 1.4535.

The pins according to the invention can be manufactured in the knownmanners, for instance by turning or by taking drawn wire as startingmaterial and cutting it. Preferably, the pins for use in the conveyorchain according to the invention are manufactured from drawn wire, morepreferably from cold-drawn wire.

The pins can then be hardened. It has been found that the wear ofhardened pins is more than 30% lower than that of unhardened pins. Thehardening takes place in a manner known to a skilled person by means ofa thermal treatment.

It is not necessary to manufacture the whole pin according to theinvention from the above-defined steel. According to the invention, sucha steel may also be present as an outer jacket layer on a pin from adifferent material. Such a layer usually has a thickness of a few tenthsof millimeters to a few millimeters, for instance 0.5–1.5 mm, typicallyapproximately 1 mm. A pin with such a jacket layer can be obtained inmanners known to a skilled person, for instance by subjecting the pin toa surface treatment.

The pins are introduced into the links in the usual manner, for thepurpose of forming the conveyor chain according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described with reference to anexemplary embodiment shown in a drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective bottom view of a number of successive linksof a hinge conveyor chain;

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic top plan view of the chain of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a chain pin from the chain of FIGS. 1and 2.

The Figures are only diagrammatic representations of a preferredembodiment of the invention and are given by way of non-limitingexemplary embodiment. In the Figures, same or corresponding parts aredesignated by the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a hinge conveyor chain 1 comprising a series ofsuccessive links 2 formed from a ferritic-pearlitic stainless steel. Thelinks 2 are, as usual, connected to each other by pins 6 to form anendless chain. In the embodiment described herein, the chain pins 6 aremanufactured from a steel alloy with Werkstoffnummer 1.4125, so that thematerial of the chain pin is substantially non-seizing to theferritic-pearlitic stainless steel of the link.

The links 2 each comprise a substantially plate-shaped top plate 3 whichforms a conveying surface. Near a front side 4, the top plate 3 isprovided with two spaced apart link ends 5A, 5B curled up to hinge loopsdefining coaxial openings for receiving the chain pin 6. Near a backside 5, the top plate 3 is provided with a link end 5C curled up to ahinge loop defining an opening for receiving the chain pin 6, whoseposition corresponds to the free interspace between the link ends 5A, 5Bon the front side 4 of the adjacent link 2. The link ends 5A, 5B and 5Cof successive links are hingedly coupled by means of the stainless-steelchain pins 6 reaching though the hinge loops, i.e. received in thealigned openings of the interdigitated link ends of adjacent links 2 andengaging the ferritic-pearlitic stainless steel.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a chain pin 6. The chain pin 6comprises a substantially cylindrical, steel body 7 whose end faces 8are, along their circumferential edges 9, substantially smoothlyconnected to a radially outwardly facing surface 10.

In this example, the chain pin 6 has a diameter of less than 1 cm,preferably approximately 5–8 mm, in particular 6.35 mm. The chain pinhas a length of approximately 20–150 mm, depending on the width of thechain and the number of link ends to be coupled.

Successive links 2 can, each time, pivot relative to each other about anaxis located in or along the conveying surface and extendingsubstantially transverse to the conveying direction indicated by arrowP. Thus, the chain 1 can be guided around a chain wheel. Further, inthis exemplary embodiment, the chain pin 6 is included in the middlelink end 5C with play, while the chain pin 6 is clamped in the link ends5A, 5B. This allows successive links 2 to, each time, pivot relative toeach other about an axis extending substantially transverse to theconveying surface, so that the chain 1 can be guided along a bend in aflat surface.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown here. For instance,successive links 2 may comprise link ends and top plates having anothershape than shown in the drawing. Also, the chain pin may have a varyingdiameter, for instance when it is stepped or tapered over its length.The chain pin may also be manufactured from another, non-seizingmaterial. In addition, the chain pin may have a body formed from a steelalloy, such as any of the steel alloys disclosed herein, with a layerformed from a different steel alloy having non-seizing properties, suchas a steel alloy with Werkstoffnummer 1.41251, defining the chain pinradially outwardly facing surface. Moreover, only the link ends, orportion thereof, could be formed from the ferritic-pearlitic stainlesssteel, wherein the chain pin engages the ferritic-pearlitic stainlesssteel portion of the link ends without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Such variations will be clear to a skilled person and are understood tobe within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

EXAMPLES

In the Examples, the types of steel used are designated by theirWerkstoffnummer, unless indicated otherwise.

Example 1

Links from 1.4589 steel were coupled to each other by pressing pins(length 41 mm, diameter 6.35 mm) through the link ends of the links inthe usual manner. The width of the links was 3.25″ (8.26 cm). Differenttypes of steel were used for the pins, as is shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Test conditions and results of Example 1 Pin material Wear(mm/year) *)1.4057 (martensitic) 0.71 1.4125 (martensitic) 0.48 *)1.4310(austenitic) 0.62 *)Nitronic 60 (austenitic) 0.98 *)1.4401 (austenitic)0.92 *)Comparative example 1.4057: C: 0.14–0.23; Si: ≦1; Mn: ≦1; P:≦0.045; S: ≦0.030; Cr: 15.5–17.5; Ni: 1.50–2.50. 1.4310: C: ≦0.12; Si≦1.50; Mn: ≦2; P: ≦0.045; S: ≦0.015; Cr: 16–18; Mo ≦0.80; Ni: 6.00–9.00.Nitronic 60: C: ≦0.10; Si: 3.5–4.5; Mn: 7.00–9.00; 15; Cr: 16.0–18.0; Mo≦0.80; Ni: 8.00–9.00; N: 0.08–0.18. 1.4401: C: ≦0.07; Si: ≦1; Mn: ≦2; P:≦0.045; S: ≦0.030; Cr: 16.5–18.5; Mo: 2.00–2.50; Ni: 10.5–13.5.

The results in Table 1 show that the steel in the hinge conveyor chainaccording to the invention provides a considerably lower wear.

Example 2

Example 1 was repeated, but this time at a different location.

TABLE 2 Test conditions and results of Example 2 Pin material Wear(mm/year) *)1.4057 (martensitic) 0.69 *)1.4462 (duplex) 0.55 1.4125(martensitic) 0.30 1.4125 (martensitic)¹⁾ 0.19 *)Nitronic 60(austenitic) 1.00 *)Comparative example 1.4462: C: ≦0.02; Si ≦1.00; Mn:≦2.00; P: ≦0.030; S: ≦0.020; Cr: 21–23; Mo: 2.5–3.5; Ni: 4.50–6.50; N:0.08–0.20. ¹⁾Thermally hardened

The results in Table 2 shows that, according to the invention,considerably less wear is obtained. Thermal hardening improves theresults even more.

Example 3

Example 1 was repeated, but this time pins with a length of 56 mm wereused (diameter is 6.35 mm).

TABLE 3 Test conditions and results of Example 3 Pin material Wear(mm/year) *)1.4057 (martensitic) 1.45 1.4125 (martensitic) 0.17*)Nitronic 60 (austenitic) 1.21 *)1.4462 2.12 *)Comparative example

The results in Table 3 show that, according to the invention,considerably less wear is obtained.

1. A chain pin for a hinge conveyor chain having links including aferritic-pearlitic stainless steel, said chain pin comprising: asubstantially cylindrical body having an outwardly facing surface, atleast a portion of said outwardly facing surface being formed from astainless steel alloy more than 0.6 wt. % of carbon and more than 12 wt.% of Cr wherein said outwardly facing surface is substantiallynon-seizing to the ferritic-pearlitic stainless steel of the link byvirtue of composition.
 2. The chain pin according to claim 1, whereinsaid ferritic-pearlitic stainless steel is selected from a groupconsisting of steel having a Werkstoffnummer (material number) of1.4589, 1.4016 and 1.4017.
 3. The chain pin according to claim 1,wherein said outwardly facing surface of said chain pin comprises asteel alloy with the following composition (in wt. %): C 0.95–1.2  Cr16–18 Mn ≦1 Mo ≦0.75 P ≦0.04 Si ≦1 S ≦0.03


4. The chain pin according to claim 1, wherein said outwardly facingsurface comprises a steel alloy with 15–19 wt. % of Cr.
 5. The chain pinto claim 1, wherein said steel alloy is present as an outer layer onsaid pin, preferably with a layer thickness of 0.5–1.5 mm.